Former Michigan tight end Kevin Koger (86) hopes to improve his NFL draft stock with a strong performance at the school's pro day on Thursday.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Kevin Koger started 31 times at tight end for the Michigan football team. He appeared in all but three games in his four-year career, and became a captain last season as a senior.

ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. now ranks Koger among his 10 best tight end prospects, and projects him as a fifth- or sixth-round pick in next month's draft. CBS Sports pegs him the No. 8 tight end and a fifth-round pick.

And yet, where was Koger during last month's NFL Scouting Combine?

His couch.

Koger wasn't among the 14 tight ends invited to Indianapolis. Instead, he watched the combine from his Ann Arbor apartment, which he shares with former teammates Elliott Mealer and J.B. Fitzgerald.

"I was more disappointed than anything else," Koger said of the snub during a phone interview this week. "I forced myself to sit down and watch it, even though that was probably the last thing I wanted to do at that time.

"But, I just thought it was important to sit down and not only use it as motivation, but see where I fit in among the top tight ends in the country."

For defensive lineman Mike Martin, center David Molk and receiver Junior Hemingway -- each of whom attended the combine -- it's a chance to leave a second impression. For everyone else, this could be their last shot at catching the eye of an NFL team.

Koger said he hopes to use it to showcase his speed. And, yes, prove he should have been invited to the combine.

"I just want to show everyone I’m faster than predicted," he said. "I think people have me around a 4.8 flat (in the 40-yard dash). I think that’s slow, personally, but there’s only one way to prove that and that’s to run faster."

Koger, along with five former teammates, trained with former Michigan strength and conditioning coach Mike Barwis. He hasn't put on much weight to his muscular 6-foot-4, 258-pound physique, but says he's become more explosive and technically sound in the 40-yard dash.

Players also will bench press at the pro day, as well as other speed and strength drills.

Koger and the rest of the tight ends and receivers will catch passes from former Toledo quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, who played last year for the Cincinnati Bengals. Gradkowski is represented by Priority Sports, the same agency that represents Koger, Martin and Molk.

Gradkowski had a throwing session last week with Koger in Toledo, and they met up again this week to fine tune their timing.

That could be a good drill for Koger, who is known for his sure hands. A strong showing at the pro day could help dispel any lingering questions about his catching ability, after he posted modest receiving numbers at Michigan.

Koger's production was limited by playing three seasons in the spread-option offense, a system that de-emphasizes tight ends in the passing game. Michigan transitioned to a spread-West Coast hybrid his final season, and he had a career year, catching 23 passes for 244 yards and four touchdowns.

He finished his career with 59 catches for 756 yards and nine scores.

"I probably am at a little disadvantage (because of the offenses I played in), but that’s fine," Koger said. "Some people ask why I didn’t have 40 or 50 catches this year, and I say, 'Well, you have two 1,000-yard rushers in your backfield, and you have a receiving corps with Junior Hemingway and Roy Roundtree. I was lucky to get even what I got.'"

Kiper said Koger could be helped by what has turned out to be a weak tight end class.

"Koger’s an interesting guy," Kiper said during a teleconference last week. "He came in, you thought he was going to evolve into a top tight end, at least in the top-five grouping.

"With the tight end position, there’s not a lot of consensus guys. There’s a lot of mixed opinions on these other tight ends. ... But Koger, I like Koger."

Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.

Comments

Steve McQueen

Wed, Mar 14, 2012 : 5:06 a.m.

Im rooting big time for Kevin to make it in the league. He has the skills, size and ability to be a starting NFL TE. Unfortunately for Kevin, he was a victim of timing...
call it the &quot;dead TE error&quot; or more accurately &quot;the Rich Rodriguez Error&quot;... whatever the title is for the mistake..it was a massive one...for Michigan to end a glorious era of fine TE's and TE play...and just toss that tradition out and bring in the self-annointed spread prophet... was a horrendous mistake... and Kevin is paying for it with his draft stock.
Kid is good though...and a great team leader...he will be a tremendous mid round pick for at team looking to upgrade the skill level at TE. Look for an excellent showing at pro day on Thursday.

RJ12688

Wed, Mar 14, 2012 : 4:33 a.m.

I think Koger will be a solid pro. He has decent size, good blocking ability, and great hands. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes a little sooner that some of these experts think.

Mick52

Tue, Mar 13, 2012 : 3:13 p.m.

He might end up at a quality team rather than a rebuilding one. I liked Koger, he was a good solid player with good hands. I hope he lands on a successful team

rightmind250

Tue, Mar 13, 2012 : 1:37 p.m.

I liked Koger. I thought he was a pretty good tight end for UM. He must have trouble blocking or something. He looked tough and had good hands.

heartbreakM

Tue, Mar 13, 2012 : 12:14 p.m.

My prediction: Koger will be a 10 year pro--best of this bunch, notwithstanding Martin's big muscular physique. His numbers were down because of the offense he played in for his first 3 years, and then DR's difficulty in throwing to him last year